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Throwback Thursday

Pursuant to the judge’s agreement, the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission issued an informal adjustment to a judge for using her title in a threatening text to the ex-husband of a family member. Letter of Informal Adjustment (Hendricks) (Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission September 20, 2013).

The Mississippi Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a judge and fined him $1,000 for a verbal altercation with a probation officer, including threatening to hold her in contempt of court and having police officers escort her from the clerk’s office. Commission on Judicial Performance v. Fowlkes, 121 So. 3d 904 (Mississippi 2013).

Based on an agreed statement of facts and joint recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for acting as an attorney for an alleged rape victim and her family after presiding over proceedings in the underlying criminal case. In the Matter of Fleming, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct September 30, 2013).

Accepting an agreement for discipline by consent in an attorney discipline proceeding, the South Carolina Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a former magistrate for, at the conclusion of a bond court session, kissing the clerk who had been working with him on the forehead. In the Matter of Hatcher, 748 S.E.2d 220 (South Carolina 2013).

The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly reprimanded a judge for magistrating a woman with whom he had a romantic relationship. Public Reprimand of Nicholds (Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct September 17, 2013).

The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge for an ex parte communication with an attorney about a contested issue in the attorney’s suit for fees against a former client, which resulted a judgment in favor of the attorney without the former client being given the right to be heard. Public Admonition of Koetter (Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct September 17, 2013).